The most important benefit of being part of a union is that you and your co-workers have a voice in decisions that affect your work-life. By acting together, union members can improve working conditions, benefits and wages for themselves and improve the communities we all live in.

A tough economy in our state means more and more people are facing hard times. If you or a co-worker is in immediate crisis, or have other needs like banking, discounts on purchases, or help with filing your taxes, the following information may be helpful.

The services and assistance referenced here are to provide helpful information to our members. UFCW 21 cannot assure the quality or accuracy of the information provided by the organizations and institutions. As always when doing banking, housing, financial or other important consumer decisions, you should read information closely to insure your protection.

UFCW Scholarships

UFCW 21 offers many scholarships for students. Scholarship applications become available in the beginning of the year and the deadline to apply is February 15th.

In addition, each year the UFCW International awards scholarships as well.

General Assistance

2-1-1 Community Information Line. By dialing "211" on your local phone, you'll reach this information line which offers expert assistance and help accessing community resources such as help with rent, food, and low cost legal services.

Puget Sound Labor Agency offers an online service at pslaonline.org designed to help people in need. Supported by UFCW 21 and other unions and community groups, the Labor Agency offers a food bank, a free household goods pick-up and delivery program, a wheelchair and mobility program, and specific programs to assist children such as toddler feeding and school supplies.

Food Assistance

Basic Food (also called Food Stamps): 1-888-436-6392. Basic Food provides money to buy food using an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT). EBT cards work like debit cards. You can spend your monthly benefits in participating grocery stores. To find out how much your family's monthly benefit could be, call the Family Food Hotline at 1-888-436-6392.

Unemployment Insurance

Need to get unemployment? Call 1-800-318-6022.

Crisis and Suicide Hotlines

24-Hour Crisis Line - Call 1-866-427-4747 for immediate help for individuals, families and friends of people in emotional crisis.

Seniors and Families

Important Information for Families: ParentHelp123.org or hotline at 1-866-585-1123 helps Washington State families apply for health and food programs online, and locate resources in their local communities. The website has health information for pregnant women, parents of new babies, and families with children.

Health Care

Apple Health Insurance For Kids: 1-877-543-7669. A family of four making $53,000 or less, or a family of three making $44,000 or less, would be eligible for health care benefits.

Banking and Home Loans

Personal Banking

UFCW 21 members receive special benefits at local Seattle Bank as part of a unique partner banking program, such as 5000 rewards points (a $50 value) when they open a Seattle Bank checking account, and great rates on CDs and other savings products. This includes Seattle Bank’s unique Family Savings account, which allows families to work together to earn a better interest rate. Go to www.seattlebank.com/UFCW21 or call 206.568.7800 to learn more.

About Seattle Bank: locally owned and managed in the Puget Sound, Seattle Bank’s mission is to build a great community bank for the Pacific Northwest - one grown out of local values, and focused on the needs of this region. They are dedicated to giving back to, and growing, the community; their partner banking program is one way in which they expand that community to the employees and members of their banking partners, like UFCW Local 21. They pledge to be active in making your neighborhood a better place to live, to take the time to give you knowledgeable financial advice when you need it, and to reinvest your deposit dollars right here at home in your community.

Member FDIC.

Home Mortgages

UFCW 21 has partnered with local mortgage company Seattle Mortgage to offer all UFCW 21 members a 0.25% credit on the cost of their mortgage loan, (and a 0.50% credit if they’re also a customer of Seattle Bank). That’s worth up to $1250 on a $250,000 loan, or up to $2,250 on a $450,000 loan – and is backed by our personal, actually-answers-the-phone kind of service. To learn more, go to www.seattlemortgage.com/UFCW21 or call 206.282.0440.

About Seattle Mortgage: locally owned and managed since that 1944, Seattle Mortgage Company, a subsidiary of Seattle Bank, is one of the oldest and most respected mortgage companies in the Puget Sound. As a local company with no large processing centers, they are able to be more attentive to you, your needs, and your homeownership dreams. And because their mortgage experts are local and dedicated to this community, they're personally invested in your success, know the intricacies of the neighborhoods they serve, and can play an involved role in helping you make the best financial decision on your home loan.

Equal Housing Lender.

The Union Plus Mortgage Program can make buying or selling a home or refinancing a mortgage easier and more affordable. Features for UFCW 21 members include Home Planning Partnership Program workshops every month, as well as first-time home buyer programs, member-only savings, and mortgage assistance in the event of layoff, disability, or strike. For more information call 1-866-910-2247.

Union members, their children and parents are eligible to participate in the Union Home Services Program and can receive a 20% rebate on the commission of a home purchase or sale. This can amount to several thousands of dollars. To learn more, call: 1-877-779-0197.

UFCW 21

UFCW 21 is the largest private-sector union in Washington state, with over 45,000 members working in grocery store, retail, health care, meat processing and other industry jobs. UFCW 21 is a chartered member of UFCW International with over 1.4 million workers in North America.

To build a powerful Union that fights for economic, political and social justice in our workplaces and in our communities.